Exit Interview: Actor Kal Penn Leaving White House to Return to Show Biz

July 29, 2011

By ABCNEWS.COM

Today is the last day of work for Kalpen Modi, the White House’s associate director in the Office of Public Engagement.

You may know him better as Kal Penn, his stage name.

Or perhaps you know him as Kumar Patel, the lovable stoner from the lucrative Harold and Kumar film franchise. Or the suicidal Dr. Kutner from House. Or a terrorist from 24.

Modi has worked for two years in relative anonymity at the White House, working on outreach and responsiveness with young Americans, artists, and Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders. And he has refused interviews during that time.

But as he prepares to leave the White House today to return to Tinseltown – A Very Harold + Kumar 3D Christmas hits theaters in November, he will be guest starring on How I Met Your Mother, and other lucrative offers await – Modi sat down with us for an exit interview that will air on Nightline tonight.

He says he remains as idealistic as he was two years ago. Read more about it HERE.